History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 116

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532

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What Dr. Eldridge was to his parish they do not need to be told. "The forty years and more," says Dr. Porter, in a discourse on his life and character, "which he has given to this parish have not been without abundant blessings. The simplicity of his aims, the constancy of his labors, the wisdom of his counsels, the fidelity and tenderness of his exhorta-

Joseph Eldridge

Doughty, Photographer, Winsted, Conn.

E. F. Butter

RESIDENCE OF E.T. BUTLER , NORFOLK, CONN. (ERECTED 1790, BY HIS GRANDFATHER.)

" MAPLE SIDE." RESIDENCE OF AUSTIN A, SPAULDING NORFOLK CONN.

481

NORFOLK.

tions, and the integrity and spirituality of his life, have formed the characters and strengthened the faith, have cheered the lives and blessed the deaths and saved the souls of many who will forever rejoice in the pastor who led them to Christ, and guided their feet in the ways of Christian living. The influences of this long and successful pastorate will remain for more than another generation, as the name of this beloved and honored servant of Christ shall be re- peated with love and thankfulness."

At the time of his resignation he was the oldest of the pastors in active service in the State of Connecti- cut. He died March 31, 1875.

The Religious Herald, in speaking of Dr. Eldridge, says, " A wise counselor, a genial companion, a dili- gent student, a cogent reasoner, always an instructive, and often a thoroughly eloquent, preacher, he proba- bly came nearer to the true ideal of a gospel minister than some who are more widely known and more loudly proclaimed."

The New York Tribune says, "The Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D.D., of Norfolk, was one of the ablest and most prominent of the New England clergy," and the following, from the New York Independent, is a just tribute to this worthy man, " A man of fine culture, keen wit, and sound sense, his influence in the whole region has been commanding, and his home has been the centre of all beautiful and gracious ministries for many a year."

AUSTIN A. SPAULDING.

Austin A., youngest son of Austin Spaulding, was born at New Marlboro', Mass., Feb. 18, 1819. His father died Nov. 4, 1818. At the age of eleven years young Austin was apprenticed to an uncle who was a farmer living in Norfolk. He remained with the widow of this uncle, who died in 1830, until 1834. When he was seventeen years old he went but a short distance from his uncle's home to live with his oldest brother. When of age he began the world for himself. Mr. Spaulding married Louisa J., daughter of Truman Hart, of Norfolk. He purchased a farm in the southern portion of Norfolk, where he now re- sides. Their children were Sarah E., Adelaide E., William A., and Frederick S. Sarah E. married James L. Bragg, of Winchester, Conn .; they have one daughter, Louisa. Mr. Spaulding represented his town in the Legislature in 1852. In 1854 he con- nected himself with a company manufacturing ma- chinery. In 1858 the company reorganized, and began the manufacture of hoes, doing an extensive business in the Southern States until the beginning of the late war, when they became prostrated. The company then began making Springfield muskets for the gov- ernment ; in this they were successful. At the end of one year of the latter business, Mr. Spaulding with- drew from the firm and turned his attention to farm-

ing and stock-raising. He has many times held the position of selectman and other town offices ; was a di- rector in the old Norfolk Bank, was also appointed as

AUSTIN A. SPAULDING.

one of the receivers of the same. He is at the present time a trustee in the Norfolk Savings Bank. Has held numerous offices in the church. A view of his residence may be seen elsewhere.

EGBERT T. BUTLER.

Egbert T. Butler, son of Calvin Butler,* was born in Plymouth, Conn., Dec. 21, 1813. He was educated at the common schools in his native town, and in about the year 1841 removed to Norfolk, where he has since resided. Mr. Butler has ever been a leading citizen of the town, and all measures tending to advance its interests have found in him an earnest advocate. He has at various times represented Norfolk in the Legis- lature, and while a representative, in 1856, secured the charter for the Norfolk Bank, of which he was the first president, and Asa l'ettibone cashier.

As mentioned above, Mr. Butler has ever been alive to the development of this section of the State, but the crowning act of his life may be written in three words, " Connecticut Western Railroad." He has justly been styled the " father" of this road. Ile was the first to agitate the subject, and it was chiefly through his in- domitable will that the building of the road was com- menced and carried to successful completion. After succeeding in getting the survey, in the spring of 1866, he was sent to the Legislature to secure the charter, and during that session was made chairman of rail -

* Seo history of " Bench and Bar," Chap. II.

482

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

road committees on the part of the House. In referring to this road and the active part Mr. Butler had taken in its inception and completion, the Hartford Times, under date of Dec. 14, 1871, says,-

" In February, 1866, Mr. E. T. Butler, of Norfolk, while sitting with his wife and family one evening, started up and said he must write that arti- 'cle about the railroad through the nortbera part of the State, and, euit- iog the action to the word, he wrote a communication to the Winsted Herald, which waked up an interest in the project, which maoy thought ridiculous. Meetings were subsequently held in Norfolk and Winsted, aod Mr. Butler set about the work of reising a sum for a survey of the proposed road from Collinsville to Canaan. 'The raising of this money,' he says, ' was the hardest work of all.' Men of wealth refused to give bim a dollar, and one who said he had no money to throw away is now a large owner of the stock of the road. Mr. Butler soon after presented bis plans to some of the rich men of Hartford, but met with little en- couragement from them. He suggested that it would be for their in- terest to start a survey and secure a charter from this city, but this was objected to. In June, 1866, the road was surveyed from Collinsville to the State line in East Sheffield, the cost of the survey being paid by private enUscription secured on the line of survey, and the same year a charter was granted for the 'Connecticut Western Railroad,' a name given it by Mr. Butler.

" Ground for the road was broken in Wineted on the 20th of October, 1869, by Mr. E. T. Butler, of Norfolk, and on Thursday last, Dec. 7, 1871, the saone gentleman drove the last spike io Canton."

The Hartford Courant of Dec. 14, 1871, says,-

" The credit of firet suggesting plans for the road belongs to Mr. E. T. Butler, of Norfolk, now a director of the road, and always one of its most earnest friende. Early in 1866, Mr. Butler wrote an article for the Winsted Herald, unfolding his plan. Soon after meetings were held in Norfolk and Winsted to discuss the project, and about the same time Mr. Butler met a few Hartford citizens at the office of Howe & Mathere, and laid the subject before them ; said he should take stepe to secure a survey from Collinsville to Canaan, and apply for a charter, and suggested that it might be well to ask for a charter from Hartford. But no encourage- ment was proffered from this quarter.

" Work on the road was commenced at Winsted Oct. 20, 1869, and the last rail was laid on Thursday of last week, December 7th, at Canton, Mr. E. T. Butler throwing out the firet epadeful of earth and driving the last spike."

In this connection the Winsted Herald of Dec. 15, 1871, says,-

"The last spike was driven on Thursday last, at Canton, by E. T. But- ler, he who shoveled the first shovelful of earth, at Winsted, on the 20th of October, 1869, than whom no man was more worthy so to shovel and so to drive."

The citizens of Norfolk appreciated the services of Mr. Butler, and at a railroad celebration held here Sept. 12, 1871, he was presented with a superb gold watch and chain. On the outside of the watch-case was engraved the monogram " E. T. B." and a train of cars, while the inside of the case bore the follow- ing inscription :

" Presented to E. T. Butler, Esq., by the citizens of Norfolk, in recog- nitioo of his servicee in the originating aod completion of the C. W. Railroad."

May 1, 1839, Mr. Butler united in marriage with Jennett Porter, of Norfolk, who died Dec. 23, 1862, leaving a son and daughter,-Egbert J., who resides in Buffalo, N. Y., and Harriet R., who died Nov. 17, 1877. Jan 17, 1864, Mr. Butler married Celia E. Hall, of Sandisfield, Mass., and their children are Jennett P. and Charlotte.

The residence of Mr. E. T. Butler is considered one of the finest farm residences in Litchfield County. It stands near the line of Berkshire Co., Mass., at an

elevation of fourteen hundred feet above the sea, com- manding a fine view of the village of Norfolk and the many picturesque hills and valleys in the vicinity. It was erected about the year 1790 by two brothers named Jedediah and Jeremiah Phelps, who occupied it with their families as long as they lived. Capt. John Phelps, the father of the two brothers above named, settled on the farm in 1762, and it has always been held in the family since that date, Mr. Butler now owning it, being the grandson of Jedediah Phelps.

During the life of Jedediah and Jeremiah Phelps they worked the farm in common, with no division of farm or crops. The room now used for dining-room was formerly the kitchen, and in it the two families did their ordinary work by the same fire. On one side of the kitchen was a large fireplace, two large brick ovens, and two pantries. In the fireplace were three andirons, and a crane for hanging pots and ket- tles was hinged on each side of the fireplace. The family of Jedediah Phelps cooked their meals on the south side of the middle andiron, and set their table in the south end of the kitchen ; and the family of Jere- miah Phelps set their table in the north end of the kitchen, and cooked their meals on the north side of the middle andiron ; and in this kitchen, as was the custom in those days, the two families reared their children, three daughters and four sons. The main house, standing in front, being forty by thirty-six feet, is constructed with a large hall three yards wide run- ning through the centre of the house on both first and second floors, and on each side of the hall above and below are two rooms five yards square; and open fire- places are now in use in the four lower rooms and the two front chambers. A never-failing spring of pure, soft water supplies the premises. For several years past Mr. Butler, in addition to his farming, has made his home a pleasant, resort for many city families during the warm summer months.

CHAPTER XLVII. NORTH CANAAN .*

Geographical-Topographical-Incorporation of the Town-The Revo- lution-Incidents-The First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-Select- men from 1859 to 1882-Clerks from 1859 to 1882-Probate Judges from 1847 to Present Time-Representativee froio 1859 to 1882-Eccle- elastical History-Congregational Church-Christ Church-Methodist Episcopal Church-Connecticut Western News-Villages-Military Record.

THIS town lies in the northwestern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : on the north by Berkshire Co., Mass., on the east by Norfolk, on the

* The early history of this town, including the record history, has been given in detail io the history of Canaan, of which North Canaan formed a part notil 1858. Names of the early settlers, proprietors' meetings, early rules and regulations, etc., will be found in the history of the mother-town.

483

NORTH CANAAN.

south by Canaan, and on the west by the Housatonic River, which separates it from Salisbury. The surface of the town is hilly.

THE REVOLUTION.

Canaan had many noble representatives in the war of the Revolution. " Among these was Nathaniel Stevens, who enlisted in 1775, and served as com- missary-general until the dissolution of the commis- sary department in 1782, and Capt. John Watson, a native of Canaan, who raised a company in Norfolk, and did good service in the war.

" Capt. Gershom Hewitt served under Col. Ethan Allen when he surprised and captured Fort Ticon- deroga, May 10, 1775. Capt. Hewitt, acting as a spy, entered the fort and reconnoitred its condition pre- paratory to the assault. Assuming the dress and manners of a simple-minded man in search of an old aunt, of ' Varmount,' Hewitt so successfully person- ated the character as to awaken no suspicion on the part of the garrison. He was permitted to enter the fort and to wander about at his pleasure; indeed, he was rather hospitably entertained. Pretending never to have seen a cannon before, he inquired what those long iron things with holes in the end were for. Having gained the necessary information, he left the fort and returned to the camp of Col. Allen, who se- lected him to lead the assaulting party. When Col. Allen demanded of the commander of the fort a sur- render, he was asked by what authority he made the demand, and replied, 'In the name of the Great Je- hovah and of the Continental Congress.' Hewitt was told by the captain of the guard of the fort that if he had known who he was when he entered the fort the day before he would have shot him. Jonathan Gillette, eighteen years of age, was, while on military duty at Horseneck during the Revolutionary war, taken prisoner, in company with several others, and carried to New York, and confined for ten months in a sugar-house, where he suffered severely from hunger and disease.

" A small fortress on the St. Lawrence, called the 'Cedars,' was garrisoned by about three hundred men ; this fortress, by the treachery of their commanding officer, was delivered into the hands of the English, who kept the garrison close prisoners, employing a force of Indians to guard them, the prisoners being treated with all the indignity and cruelty which the savages could devise.

" A force of Americans were sent to their relief, but on their approach they were met by a tlag from the British commander, stating that if the Americans should fire upon them the whole of their prisoners would be massacred, and proposing terms of release for the prisoners. The terms were most humiliating to the Americans, but they were obliged to accept them in order to save their imprisoned comrades from a terrible death.

" When the British were ready to release them the

Indians refused to let them go, being determined to set on fire the building in which they were confined, and thus destroy them all, and they only consented to release them by the exchange of cattle for the American prisoners. Thus the ancestors of many of us were literally exchanged for cattle, for this garrison was composed in part of a company raised in Canaan, their captain being John Stevens. Oliver Stevens, Jedediah Smith, and Benjamin Stevens were mem- bers of this company." *

Among the early settlers in this town was Isaac Lawrence. Soon after coming he built what is known as the old Lawrence tavern-stand, a large house near North Canaan depot, still in excellent repair, and owned by Mrs. Wm. Adams, whose wife was a de- seendant of Isaac Lawrence.

INCORPORATION OF NORTH CANAAN.

The town of North Canaan was incorporated in 1858, and on October 14th of the same year the first town-meeting was held, when the following officers were chosen: Moderator, M. T. Granger ; Assessor, Harvey Lawrence; Board of Relief, Dennis Prescott, Fredk. Watson, and Hiram Briggs ; Selectmen, Henry Ives and Harmon Rockwell ; Town Clerk and Treas- urer, William Douglass; Register of Births and Mar- riages, William Douglass ; Constable and Collector, I. P. Stevens ; Grand Jurors, Wm. C. Lawrence, James Briggs, Fredk. Watson ; School Visitors, Henry Ives, Wesley Prescott, Elisha M. Rood; Highway- men, Harvey Lawrence, Solomon Wright, Sherman Austin, Lorenzo Lardam, Walter Warner ; Haywards, Phineas Hunt, D. R. Spaulding, Edwin Barnes, Orvin Rockwell, and David O. Rood; Sealer of Weights and Measures, James Briggs; Pound Keeper, E. W. Foster; Surveyors of Highways, E. P. Allen, Asahel Kellogg, Wesley Prescott, Jonathan Donalds, and Hiram Briggs.

LIST OF SELECTMEN FROM 1859-81.

Jonathan Donalds, 1859-60; Sartial Root, 1859-61 ; Henry C. Stevena, 1861 ; W'IlHam Douglass, 1862-63; Ira S. Runnell, 1862-61; Fred- erick Watson, 1864-68 ; W'm. J. Furgeson, 1865-07, 1872-78; Falward S. Roberta, 1868; Frederick Bronson, 1869-71, 1879-80; R. J. Linke, 1869; Edmund D. Lawrence, 1870-71; Joseph W. Peel, 1872-76; Luman Foot, 1877-78 ; Samuel A. Bennett, 1879; Patrick Fitzgerald, 1880; John B. Reed, 1879-80.

CLERKS.

The following is a list of the clerks from 1858 to 1881 :

William Dongluss. 1858-69; Charles Gillett, 1860-61 ; Joseph W. l'eet, 1862-71 ; Jacob 1. Hardenbergh, 1872-80.

LIST OF PROBATE JUDGES.

W'm. M. Burrall, 1847; Wm. G. Pierce, 1847-8; MHles T. Granger, 1819- 51, 1833-62, 1864-66; Walter S. Cowles, 1852; George W. Peet, 1801; Frederick Watson, 1867, 1870-71; Jacob B. Hardenbergh, 1872-81.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1859-82.

1859, Levl W. Beckley ; 1860, Willlam Douglass; 1861, Daniel L. Plerce; 1862, Alderman Ives; 1863, Frederick Bronson; 1864, Wesley P'res- cott; 1805, Nathaniel C. Wurd; 1860, J. K. Crofut; 1867, Harmon

· llev. J. Eldridge, D.D.

484

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Peet; 1868, Samuel A. Bennett; 1869, James A. Root; 1870, J. B. Hardenburgh; 1871, Ira S. Bunnell; 1872, Georgs W. Cowdrey ; 1873, Elisha M. Rood; 1874, Joseph W. Peet; 1875, Edward I. Rob- erts ; 1876, Wesley Trescott; 1877, Hiram Briggs; 1878, Charles H. Briggs; 1879, Joseph W. Peet; 1880, Theodore F. Watson; 1881, Lewis L. Cartwright.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. CONGREGATIONAL CIIURCII,*

This church was organized in 1769 by a colony from the Congregational Church in the south part of the town, then under the pastoral charge of Rev. Daniel Farrand. It appears from the records of that church that a request to be dismissed from that church for the purpose of being formed into a separate church was made by the following persons: Capt. Isaac Law- rence and his wife, John Franklin, Jared Huxley and his wife, Samuel Hobart and his wife, Simon Tubbs, Elisha Baker, Andrew Bacon and his wife, Samuel Forbes and his wife, and James Adams. This request was granted Dec. 1, 1769, and on the 5th of the same month the male persons mentioned above, together with Allen Curtiss, Jedediah Richards, Ste- phen Rice, Ebenezer Mudge, Justice Gaylord, Nehe- miah Lawrence, and Abiel Fellows, adopted a con- fession of faith and articles of church government, and were organized into a church, Rev. Daniel Far- rand presiding. The church was organized by the men ; after organization the women were admitted by vote, viz. : Mrs. Stephen Rice, Mrs. Jared Huxley, Mrs. Samuel Hobart, Mrs. Isaac Lawrence, Mrs. An- drew Bacon, and Mrs. Abiel Fellows.

The first pastor was Rev. Asahel Hart, who was in- stalled March 14, 1770, and died June 28, 1775. After his decease the church had no pastor for seven years, it being during the troublesome times of the Revolu- tion. In 1770, Elisha Bucar and Andrew Bacon were chosen deacons.

The first church building was erected in 1768, a wooden structure forty by fifty feet, and twenty-four- feet posts. It was built by Capt. Isaac Lawrence. The present house of worship was erected in the year 1822, and has been subsequently repaired.

In June 8, 1782, Rev. Amos Thompson was installed pastor of this church. Mr. Thompson was from Vir- ginia, and brought North several slaves. During his pastorate he and his wife spent a winter at the South. Previous to leaving they deposited their silver and various delicacies in the parlor, under lock and key, and had also taken with them the key of the wine- cellar. On their return they found that the slaves left in charge of the establishment had found means to gain access to these apartments, and had without scruple made free use of their contents for their own enjoyment and in liberal entertainments given to their friends.t After all the difficulties connected

with the Revolutionary war had subsided, Mr. Thomp- son and his wife were disposed to return to their Southern home, and they desired to take their slaves back with them ; but they refused to go, fled to Nor- folk, and lay in concealment, and had to be left behind. It does not appear that Mr. Thompson was formally dismissed from his pastoral relation to this church. Before leaving Canaan, Rev. Mr. Thompson manifested a practical interest in this church and society by presenting to the ecclesiastical society his house and farm, worth then about eighteen hundred dollars, on condition that they should raise enough to make five thousand dollars, to be held as a permanent fund, the interest of which should be appropriated to the support of the minister. This sum was raised, and thus originated the permanent church fund.

In 1791, Rev. Joshua Knapp was ordained as pastor of the church. How long his ministry continued is not recorded.

In 1798, August 24, Rev. Solomon Morgan was in- stalled. He died Sept. 3, 1804, aged sixty years, after a pastorate of six years. His successor, Rev. Pitkin Cowles, was ordained Aug. 29, 1805. During his pastorate five deacons were chosen; in 1806, Jacob Hinsdale, Abiel Fellows, and Anson Lawrence ; 1821, Rufus B. Dunning; 1822, William Pierce. In the war of 1812, Rev. Pitkin Cowles served for a time as chaplain, under Gen. Sterling, stationed at New London. Deacon William Pierce was drafted at the same time, and appointed sergeant; also Gersham Hewitt, Jr., and Nathaniel Dean. In 1820, Rev. Mr. Cowles organized a Sabbath-school, among the first in this State. He presented to each member of the school a Bible. A branch Sabbath-school was organ- ized at the Corner, under the direction of Miss Maria Gillette. Maria I. Watson, now (1869) Mrs. John Lawrence, was one of the pupils. Rev. Mr. Cowles was pastor of this church between twenty-seven and twenty-eight years. He was dismissed a few months previous to his death, which occurred Feb. 3, 1833. Mr. Cowles labored here in the ministry much longer than any other pastor of the church during the cen- tury of its existence.

In 1833, Oct. 23d, Rev. H. H. Woodbridge was or- dained pastor of this church. He sustained the rela- tion of pastor here till 1842, when he ceased to be a minister of the gospel. During his pastorate, in the year 1836, Dennis Rood and Sereno B. Gillette were appointed to the office of deacons. After his removal the church was without a pastor about three years, when Rev. D. D. Francis was installed, June 4, 1845. He was dismissed in 1850. While he was pastor the church appointed, in 1848, Amos Pierce and George K. Lawrence deacons.

* Condensed from a centennial sermon delivered at North Canaan, July 28, 1869, by the lats Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D.D., of Norfolk.

t At the time Mr. Thompson was Southi, he left his house in care of Jupe and Fan, when they broke open his wine-cellar and made a dinner- party, and, being seated, began to help themselves. Jupe stopped them,

saying, he " Must first ask a blessing like Massa Thompson. Oh, Lord, good a bittle on a table, a bean and a quash, meat in a pot, tunder in a heaven, lighty on a gospel, knock down a dry tree, ebermore. Amen." " Jupe," said oue of the guests, "I tink you pretty able." He replied, " Oh, I dunno; I tiak I say him putty much as Massa Thompson do."

485

NORTH CANAAN.

On June 4, 1851, Rev. Elisha Whittlesey was or- dained pastor of the church, and after filling the office about two years resigned, his health demanding a respite from labor and a milder climate. In the interval between his dismission and the settlement of his successor, and while the church was without a settled pastor, but supplied by Rev. Hiram Eddy, oc- curred a powerful revival of religion. Thirty-nine were received at a single communion season, April 6, 1856.

Rev. Hiram Eddy was installed June 25, 1856, and remained pastor of the church four years. He was dismissed in 1860. In 1858, A. A. Wright and Charles Kellogg were appointed deacons.

Rev. H. M. Grant succeeded Mr. Eddy, after an interval of about three years. He was ordained Nov. 17, 1863, and was dismissed in 1866. Horace B. Stevens was chosen deacon in 1865. Rev. Isaac P. Powell was installed pastor of the church July 28, 1869, having previously supplied the church one year. He resigned May 25, 1874, since which time the church has had no settled pastor. The present snp- ply is Rev. Hiram Eddy.

CHRIST CHURCII .*

The parish of Christ Church, North Canaan, was organized about the year 1846. The church building was erected in that year, and was consecrated by Bishop Brownell, Sept. 22, 1847. The work was originated by Rev. Mr. Fash, a missionary supported by the Litchfield County Missionary Association, and has been of a more or less missionary character ever since. The old law did not recognize the term " par- ish" or the organization which it designates, the usnal name for an ecclesiastical body or corporation being " society."

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 116

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1532

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532